Device for imparting a predetermined movement to a mechanism



Aug. 29, 1961 o. ENGELHARD 2, 97,8

DEVICE FOR IMPARTING A PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT TO A MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.5 FIG.6

f 60 6 5 f9 6 5 4 70 56% 72 52 a 99 1M 74 519- ,90

Aug. 29, 1961 o. ENGELHARD 2,997,868

DEVICE FOR IMPARTING A PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT TO A MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. I4

62 IN V EN TOR. 12

DEVICE FOR IMPARTING A PREDETERMINED MOVEMENT TO A MECHANISM Otto Engelhard, Forest Hills, N.Y., assignor to Native Laces & Textiles, Inc., New York, N.Y.,a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 787,032

1 Claim. (Cl. 66-156) This invention relates to a device for imparting a predetermined movement to a mechanism, and, more particularly, to a pattern chain which may be used in a warp knitting machine or similar mechanism.

Pattern chains are made up of links which provide a succession of cam surfaces to actuate a follower which rides on the cam surfaces of the chain as the chain passes around and is driven by a pattern wheel. By changing the links on the chain any predetermined pattern maybe effected. One form of such a chain comprises a succession of links, each link consisting of a tongue projecting centrally forward from a part which is U- shaped, the arms of the U serving as a fork to embrace the corresponding tongue on the succeeding link. The links are connected to each other by a pin passing through holes in the arms of the fork of one link and the tongue of the succeeding link. The undersurface or lower edge portion of all the links is curved so as to fit the curvature of the pattern wheel and abut the bottom surface of the grooves provided therein. The grooves have circumferentially extending flange portions which are provided with slots which engage the connecting pins of the links to drive the pattern chain. The cam effect of the pattern chain is obtained by varying the height of each link.

Since the connection between each of the prior links comprises a tongue and fork assembly the manufacture of each link is necessarily expensive because of the milling operations required to form the tongue and fork of the link. Pursuant to the present invention the tongue and fork connections of the prior links have been eliminated resulting in a considerable reduction in manufacturing costs.

The upper edge portion of each of the prior links is provided with sloping parts or chamfers at one or both ends thereof to permit the follower to ascend or descend gradually from one link to the other. Accordingly, for any particular height of link there may be as many as four links each having different chamfered portions thereon which will permit the required movement of the follower. Because of the tongue and fork connection between the links the links are non-reversible so that for any particular height of link one link must be provided with an ascending chamfer thereon to permit the follower to rise from a lower link to a higher link and another link of the same height must be provided having descending chamfered portions thereon to permit a follower to.

descend from a higher link to a lower link. By eliminating the tongue and fork connection between the links, the links pursuant to the present invention may be made reversible so that only one link instead of the previously required two is needed to permit a follower to rise or descend from any link of a particular height.

Each of the prior links is provided with an upper edge portion comprising an arcuate cam surface on which the follower rides and a lower edge portion which is also arcuate and engages the circumferential grooves of the pattern wheel. Pursuant to a modified embodiment of the invention, by providing a link having straight flat upper and lower edge portions the previously required pattern wheel has been eliminated as well as the necessary manufacturing expense required to provide the curved edge portions on the link.

With complicated patterns the pattern chain is necesass sts Patented Aug. 239, "i961 sarily long requiring numerous idler wheels to support the chain. 10 conserve the space occupied by the pattern chains the cnam 1s looped or back-bent so the various len ths rormmg the loops of the chain will be close to eacn other. however, because of the tongue and fork connection between'tne links tne'forked ends of one link abut the shoulders of a succeeding lllllC during "backbending, preventing the lengths of chain of each loop from being close to each other resulting in large spaces being occupied by the pattern chain. By eliminating the tongue and fork connection in the chain of the present invention the space required for back-bending has been substantially reduced and the idler Wheels may be made smaller. In addition, because of the elimination of the tongue and fork connection the width of each link of the pattern chain of the present invention has been reduced about /3 thereby resulting in shorter idler wheels and pattern wheels. In addition, the expense of grinding the chamfered corners on the upper edge portion of each of the links has been reduced since there is less material to be removed.

With coarse gage warp knitting machines the links forming the pattern chain are comparatively high. High links have been found to be unstable and tilt because a relatively short part of the lower portion of each of the links is supported by the circumferentially extending i'iange portions provided on the pattern wheel. In the links of the present invention high links are provided with elongated portions extending below the connecting pins for the links which stabilize the links and prevent tilting thereof during the operation of the pattern chain.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved pattern chain and links therefor which will overcome the difliculties enumerated above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern chain comprised of links having flat parallel sides to permit adjacent links to be connected to each other in overlapping side-by-side relation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection between succeeding links of a pattern chain devoid of any tongues or grooves or forked ends.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern chain having improved back-bending characteristics.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pattern chain comprised of links which are reversible.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved link for a pattern chain having means for preventing tilting of the links during the operation of the pattern chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a link that is thinner and lighter than previous links heretofore known.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pattern chain that may be operated without a pattern Wheel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved link for a pattern chain that is simpler and cheaper to manufacture than links for pattern chains heretofore known.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pattern chain that requires fewer links for any particular height of a link than pattern chains heretofore known.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern chain that has means for opposing and preventing the longitudinal movement of the links of the chain with respect to the connecting pins therefor.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which are illustrative of the presently prefe red mode of practicing this invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical view of a part of a warp knitting machine and a complete pattern chain made up of links according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the pattern wheel indicated at 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical view, on an enlarged scale, of a section of the pattern chain shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a link of the pattern chain shown in FIG. 3 and on the same scale as FIG. 3; 7

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a modified link of the pattern chain of FIG. 3 and on the same scale as FIG. 3; p I

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; i

FIG. 9 is a vertical view of a modified form of a pattern chain according to the present invention on a larger scale than FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 9, in section, and on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a link of the pattern chain shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a vertical view of a section of a pattern chain, similar to the section shown in FIG. 3, but on a larger scale. showing a modification thereof;

FIG. 14 is a plan view, in section, on an enlarged scale. taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a. vertical view of a section of another modified form of a pattern chain, according to the present invention, on the same scale as FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a plan view, in section, on an enlarged scale. taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary plan view, in section, of a modified form of a pin connection of a pattern chain, according to the present invention, on a slightly larger scale than FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is fragmentary view, in section, on an enlarsred sca e, taken on line 1818 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularlv to FIG. 1. there is shown a pattern chain 10, according to the present invention. mounted on a pattern wheel 12 and bein driven thereby. The pattern wheel 12 is suitably keyed to a shaft 14 which is driven by suitab e means. not shown. to drive pattern wheel 12 in the direction indicated. The lower end of p ttern chain it! is supported and mounted on idler wheel 16 which is mounted on shaft 18. which is suitably supported in bearin s not shown. It will be understood that with complicated patterns the len th of the pattern chain is greatly increased so that additional idler wheels may be required upon which the chain may be looped during back-bending of the chain. A follower arm 26. having a roller 22 mounted at one end thereof, is suitably supported in bearing member 24 for sliding movement thereon. A follower member 26. having an enlarged head portion 28, is biased for engagement with bearing surface 3! of follower arm 20. follower member 26 being adapted to slide on bearing surface 30 as the yarn guide bar 32 of a warp knitting machine is caused to oscillate in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Follower member 26 is mounted on yarn guide bar 32 by a suitable bracket the yarn guide bar and the follower member 26 being biased toward the pattern chain 10 by tension spring 36, which is fastened to member 38 on the yarn guide bar and a suitable stationary support 40, such as the frame of the warp knitting machine. Yarn guide leads 41 are suitably fastened to the yarn guide bar by securing means 42.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that as the pattern wheel 12 is caused to rotate counterclockwise, as seen in FIG. 1, the links 43 of the pattern chain will actuate follower arm 20 imparting motion to yarn guide bar 32 in accordance with the predetermined pattern provided by the assemblage of the links of the pattern chain 10. Since the links are used to actuate follower arm 20, they are non-flexible and are of substantial thickness, as shown in the drawings, so as to be able to transmit a relatively heavy force to the follower 'for the actuation thereof. While FIG. 1 discloses follower member 26 as mounted on a yarn guide bar 32, for actuation of said yarn guide bar, it will be understood that the subject invention is applicable to all pattern chains which may actuate mechanisms other than yarn guide bars of a warp knitting machine, and, in addition, some of the features of the present invention are applicable to various other types of chains.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is disclosed an enlarged view of asection of the pattern chain 10. Pattern chain 10 comprises a plurality of links, such as links 44, 46, and 48, each link being of different height h, arranged in overlapping side-by-side relation'to effect the predetermined movement of follower arm 20. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, each link is provided with flat parallel sides 50 and 52, respectively, an upper edge portion 54, comprising an arcuate cam surface 56, chamfered corners 58 and 60 at each end thereof, and an arcuate lower edge portion 62. As is well known to those skilled in the art, chamfered corners 58 and 60 function to permit the follower arm 20 to ascend from a lower link, such as link 44 as seenin 'FIG. 3, to a higher link, such as link 46, and also permits'the follower arm 20 to descend from a high link, such as link 46, to a lower link, such as link 48. Lower edge portion 62 is curved to conform to the curvature of the bottom surface 64 (FIG. 1) of the circumferential grooves 65 provided on the surface of the pattern wheel 12, so that each link of the pattern chain is in abutting relation with said surface as is well known to those skilled in the art. Each link is provided with two openings or holes therethrough, 66 and 68, respectively, which are equally spaced from their respective ends 70 and 72 and symmetrically spaced on the link. Each link is provided with an elongated portion 74 which extends below openings 66 and 68. The respective ends of elongated portions 74 may be chamfered as at 78 and 80 to prevent alternate links, such as links 44 and 48 (FIGS. 3 and 4), from engaging each other at the elongated portions thereof as the pattern chain 10 moves around pattern wheel 12. Succeeding links, such as links 44 and 46, are pivotally connected to each other in overlapping side-by-side relation by pivot pins 76 which pass through openings 66 and 68, in each of their respective links, as best seen in FIG. 4. Snap rings 79 may be provided for retaining the pins in their respective holes. It will be noted in FIG. 4, that in the assembed condition of the links to form the pattern chain, pin 76 will pass through the superimposed opening 68 of one link and opening 66 of the succeeding link to form a pivoted connection between said links at the portions of the overlapping abutting sides of successive links. It will also be noted that pins 76 extend outwardly from both sides of the connected links to engage slots 81, circumferentially spaced around the flanges 82, which project upwardly from the bottom surface 64 of grooves 65 provided in the pattern wheel 12, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 18. As is well known to those skilled in the art the pattern chain is driven by the engagement of the slots *81 with the pivot pins 76 so that the pins 76 enter and leave the slots 81 as the chain passes over the pattern wheel '12. To effect easy movement of the pins 76 into and out of the slots 81, the corners 84 of the slots are provided with large radii.

It will be noted, particularly from FIG. 4, that sincethe sides of each of the links are flat and parallel and that the openings 66 and 68 are equally and symmetrically spaced with respect to the ends 70 and 72, respectively, of each of the links, each link is reversible and may be assembled to the succeeding link with either side 50 or 52 in abutting relation therewith. This makes possible the use of one link to permit a follower to descend or ascend depending upon the position of the link. In one position of the link the chamfered corner 58 will permit a follower to rise from a low link to a succeeding high link and in reversed position the chamfer 58 will permit a follower to descend from a high link to the succeeding low link. It will also be noted from FIG. 4 that succeding links, such as links 44 and 46, are disposed laterally of each other and in abutting relation with portions of the sides of said links so that during back-bending of the links the ends 72 of one link and the end 70 of the succeeding link do not engage each other and thereby prevent interference of succeeding links with each other during back-bending.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modified form of the link pursuant to the present invention wherein the link is similar in configuration to the link shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 except that the elongated portion 74 of the link of FIGS. 5 and 6 has been substantially reduced to form a shorter lower portion 74'. The charnfers 78 and 80 of the link have been eliminated since alternate links of the assembled chain will not engage each other at the lower portions thereof as the links of FIGS. 5 and 6.

The links of FIGS. 5 and 6 are used in coarse gage warp knitting machines wherein the relative height of each link is substantial. Because of the height of the link the link tends to be unstable and would tilt while it is in the grooves 65 of the pattern wheel were it not for the elongated portion 74 which extends into grooves that are deeper than the grooves that were heretofore provided in pattern wheels. The links of FIGS. 7 and 8 are used with fine gage warp knitting machines wherein the links are relatively short and do not tend to be unstable even in the relatively shallow grooves that are provided in the pattern wheels.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is disclosed a modified embodiment of the pattern chain pursuant to the present invention. In this modified embodiment the use of a pattern wheel has been eliminated by providing a link with upper and lower edge portions which are straight :and flat. The modified form of the pattern chain is mounted on and actuated by a sprocket drive which comprises a driver wheel 86 and a follower wheel 88. Driver 86 is suitably mounted on a shaft 90 which is driven by means not shown in the direction indicated in FIG. 9. Follower 88 is mounted on a shaft 92 which is also suitably supported by means not shown. Driver wheel 86 and follower wheel 88 are similar in construction and are provided with flanges 94 having the usual slots 81,

similar to pattern wheel 12, for driving the pattern chain 10' why engagement of the pins 76 in the slots 81. A guide member 9 6 is suitably supported by means not shown and has, as best seen in FIG. 10, a groove 97 formed by upstanding flange portions 98 and a bottom surface 100, which engages and supports the links of the pattern chain 10, at the lower portions thereof, the straight flat lower edge portion 62 of the modified link abutting the bottom surface 100 of groove 97. As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the link of the modified pattern chain 10 is identical to the link disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 except that the upper and lower edge portions thereof, 54 and 62, respectively, are straight and flat instead of curved. From the foregoing it will be seen from FIG. 9, that as the pattern chain 10' is driven by sprocket wheel 86 in. the direction shown, the links of the chain will successively pass through groove 97 of guide member 96, wherein follower arm 20 will be actuand for movement according to predetermined p ttern of the assembled chain. In this regard it will be noted that any play in the chain is restricted to the lengths of the chain engagement between the driver wheel 86 and the follower wheel 88 since the connecting pins 76 of the chain engage the slots 81in each of the wheels. It will be understood that with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. '9, with fine gage warp knitting machines a link similar to the link shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be provided having straight flat upper and lower edge portions in lieu of the arcuate upper and lower edge portions 54 and 62.

It will be understood that in order to provide the necessary pivotal movement between each of the links of the chain, the connecting pins 76 will, of necessity, be slightly smaller in diameter to provide the necessary clearance between the pins and the holes 66 and 68 in the links. With particularly long chains, each of the links tends to move longitudinally from side-to-side as well as pivot about the pin connections, as illustrated by dotted lines at 109 in FIG. 16, resulting in a bending or flexing of the chain from side-to-side. Accordingly, means are provided which tend to eliminate any flexing of the chain due to the looseness between the connecting pins and the links of the chain.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, it will be noted that a reinforcing plate 110 provided with holes 112 at each end thereof is mounted on pins 76a in abutting relation on one side of the chain with alternate succeeding links, as links 44 and '48, said plate being parallel and laterally disposed of an intermediate link, such as link 46. Similarly, another reinforcing plate 110 is provided on the other side of the chain, as shown, and it will be understood that similar reinforcing plates 110 are provided throughout the length of the chain. Each of the plates 110 is retained in position on the connecting pins by the previously mentioned snap rings 79 and the heads 113 of the pins, as shown. Accordingly, any movement of any of the links longitudinally of the companion pivot pin will be prevented by the reinforcing plates.

In LFIGS. l5 and 16, there is shown a modified form of the reinforcing means for preventing the longitudinal side movement about the pin connections of the links. An oblong shaped clip 114 having an inner central groove 116 is provided, said clip engaging the pins 76b and being in abutting relation therewith at the ends 118 of the groove, as best seen in FIG. 16. It will be noted that clip 114 is made from thicker material thanplate 110 in the direction of the flexing movement of the chain,

in order to provide the necessary strength in that direction to resist said flexing movement, said thickness being indicated at 119. It will be understood that the position of the links 46 and 48, indicated by the dotted lines at 109, illustrates the position of the links when the chain is provided with no reinforcing members, as member 114.

FIG. 17 shows another modified form of means for preventing the longitudinal side movement of the links and the flexing of the chain, comprising a resilient discshaped member 120 disposed between the head 113 of the pin 76c and a link, such as link 48. A washer 122 may be disposed between snap ring 79 and link 46 to provide additional bearing surface against the side of the link 46. It will be understood that similar resilient members will be provided at each pin connection, the biasing force, due to resilient member 120, opposing and preventing any longitudinal side movement of the links.

Referring now to FIG. 18, and as previously discussed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be noted that the sides of each of the links 43, at the elongated portions 74 thereof, are in sliding engagement with the sides of the grooves 65 in the pattern wheel 12, in a similar mannor as shown with respect to the embodiment of the chain shown in FIG. 10. It will be understood that this sliding engagement of the elongated portions of each of the links with the grooves of the pattern wheel opanew-see poses transverse tilting movement of the links enab in said links to remain vertical in the grooves of the pattern wheel as said links engage the follower arm 20. The upper inner edges 124 of the flanges 82, defining the grooves 65 of the patteren wheel 12, are chamfered, as shown, to provide clearance for the snap rings 79.

This applicationis a continuation-in-part of United States application, Serial No. 766,134, filed October 8, 1958, by me, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

While I have shown and described the presently preferred embodiments of the invention it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated and described and that, in the illustrated embodiments, certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction shown or described herein, except as may be required by the scope .of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A pattern chain for directly imparting a predetermined movement to a yarn guide bar of a warp knitting ma- 8 chine, comprising aplurality of links disposed in endtowend rrelation, pin means pivotally connecting adjacent links to each other in said relation for relative pivotal movement, and means mounted on said ,pin means in abutting relation with each of said links to oppose the ReferencesCited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 15,90 1 springthorpe Aug. '26, '1924 874,074 Houseman Dec. '17, 1907 2,014,100 Bitzer Sept. 10, 1935 2,229,692 Crimmins Jan. 28, 1941 2,488,144 Shortland Nov. 15, 1949 2,741,107 Garner et -al. Apr. 10, 1956 2,881,606 Lanthier Apr. 14, 1959 

